In Yerer Selassie church, not far from Addis Ababa, Tesinsky found more than 150 people waiting in line to have an an exorcism ritual performed on them by Ethiopian Orthodox Priest and Exorcist, Memehir Girma Wedimu.

A man is exorcised.David Tesinsky / Universal Features / mediadrumworld.com

“People were crying, screaming and Memehir was punching them,” said Tesinsky.

“These exorcism rituals are usually performed if someone is not responding to modern medicine or if they are misbehaving, as it is thought they are possessed by a ‘demon spirit’ or ‘buda’. They must be performed by a local priest.”

Ethiopian Orthodox was considered the state church until the fall of Haile Selassie in 1974. In many villages, the people have lived in fear of certain curses and demonic powers that have kept them in bondage and terror for generations.

Demon-possessed persons are brought to a church or prayer meeting.[36] Often, when an ill person has not responded to modern medical treatment, the affliction is attributed to demons.

The queue to be exorcised.David Tesinsky / Universal Features / mediadrumworld.com

Unusual or especially perverse deeds, particularly when performed in public, are symptomatic of a demoniac. Superhuman strength – such as breaking one’s bindings, as described in the New Testament accounts – along with glossolalia are observed in the afflicted.

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